Walking down the aisle in your perfect wedding dress is a moment many women dream of. Here we offer some advice to help pick the right dress for you.

The more dresses you look at, the better the idea you will get of what is available, and what may or may not suit you.

Colour

A traditional white wedding dress is the dream of most brides and in this case there are several options to her. She can have a dress made to her own design or her own wishes with the idea of wearing it for one day only. If it were very elaborate there would be few, if any, future occasions when it might be worn. Therefore there is a good deal to be said for a dress that is adaptable and even possibly not white.

Ecru, a very pale shade of beige, can look quite beautiful. If the colour suits the bride, a very pale pink could be attractive with, say, a white petticoat to reduce the colour still further. A winter bride need not confine herself by any means to the paler colours; a bold colour in a heavy fabric (red velvet, for example), possibly with a few white fur trimmings, would look splendid as well as being warm.

Style

There are six basic categories for different styles of wedding dress silhouette.

• A-Line: Best for brides with small waists, helps hide broad hips and large thighs.
• Empire: Best for small busted brides and creates height for petite brides.
• Ball Gown: Best for brides with slim waistlines, great for hiding full hips.
• Sheath: Best for taller, slimmer brides.
• Mermaid: Best for tall slim brides, creates an optical illusion of height for petite brides.
• Strapless: Best for curvaceous brides, draws attention to the face and arms.

It is best to ask the dressmaker or shop assistant for their personal opinion on a shape that suits you, but ultimately trying on a variety of different styles will help you get an idea of which one flatters you most.

Practicality

A dress could be made so that sleeves and / or the collar are removable while a material containing man made fibres is worth considering for ease of laundering. However, the wedding dress need not be specially made for the occasion. There is an increasing and excellent selection of ready made, relatively inexpensive dresses in the department stores, or wedding dresses can be hired.

Formality

The bride's outfit, if she is to be married at a register office, can be the same as if she were being married in church, or it could be less formal. It is important to remember though that the clothes worn either in church or at a register's office are entirely a matter of choice.

Personal taste will play an important role in the dress you eventually choose. You may want something traditional, or perhaps one of the more modern designs hot off the catwalk.

Expense

The bride's family would traditionally be expected to pay for the bride's wedding dress, but this is of course dependent on circumstances and previous agreements. Sometimes, a friend who is a skilled dressmaker will offer to make the dress as a wedding present, if not at a reduced rate.

Extras

Once you have chosen your dress, get someone to take a photograph of you wearing it. This will give you a picture to work with to help you decide on which accessories to choose to compliment your dress. When it comes to shoes, comfort is of utmost importance: you don't want to be stumbling down the aisle after all!

The article The wedding dress originally appeared on 999 Today